Assistant Dean, Office of School & Community Partnerships, UNC Charlotte Cato College of Education
Tisha Greene is the Assistant Dean for School and Community Partnerships in the Cato College at UNC Charlotte. Tisha is a two-time graduate of UNC Charlotte, having received both a BA and MA in English and English Education in the College of Liberal Arts and Sciences and is a North Carolina Teaching Fellows alumna. Prior to joining the faculty at UNC Charlotte, Tisha served as a high school English teacher, district office administrator, and spent 9 years as an elementary principal. In 2017, Tisha was named the Outstanding Administrator in Science Mathematics and Technology Education by the North Carolina Science Mathematics and Technology Education Center.
What have you recently learned from a teacher?
That teachers are suffering from the guilt and pressure to meet the needs of their students and often do not have the resources to cope with the stress themselves.
What is the greatest challenge our educators face?
Trying to teach the whole child. When kids haven't had their social emotional or basic needs met and we are trying to teach them reading, writing, math, science, etc. it is hard. It is something most teachers are not equipped to do. It truly takes a village to support students.
Which skill would you most like to master?
Ballroom dancing.
What quality do you most admire in a school leader?
Someone who is a true teacher at heart and never forgets what it is like to be in the trenches.
What is your favority children's storybook character?
Ruby- a second grade character. She is a character in books written by a local writer, Derrick Barnes. I dressed up as her for our school's character parade.
Which living person do you most admire?
My grandmother. She is 95 and still very active in church and life. She exercises everyday. She drove a car until she was 90. I want to be like her when I grow up!
Who are your favorite writers?
Toni Morrison, Alice Walker, Zora Neale Hurston
What is your most treasured possession?
A signed book by Toni Morrison and a picture of me with her and a group of teachers and students in my office.
What were you really into when you were a kid?
Reading.
Advice you would give to a young person interested in a profession in education?
To stick with it. Sometimes the rewards aren't tangible, but they are bountiful with the growth of each student.